PRIM3E VIN STER
FOR PRESS .27 September 1979
THE RESIGNATION OF THE RT. HON. IAN SINCLAIR, M. P.
I have received a letter from the Rt. Hon. Ian Sinclair, M. P.
resigning his portfolio as Minister for Primary Industry, and
resigning also his position as Leader of the House of
Representatives. I shall recommend to His Excellency that
Mr. Sinclair's resignation from his ministerial portfolio be
accepted. It is a matter of great regret to me and to the Government that
Mr. Sinclair has felt obliged to take this step while any action
that may flow from the report commissioned by the N. S. W.
Government is unrsolved. He does so, I know, out of consideration
for his ministerial and Party colleagues.
Mr. Sinclair'has ser-ed the Government and his country with
distinction and dedication and his contribution will be greatly
missed. I shall ask His Excellency to swear the Honourable Peter Nixon
as Minister for Pri=--ry Industry in addition to his present
portfolio as Minister for Transport.
I have appointed Mr. Viner as Leader of the House of Representatives.
Until Mr. Peacock returns from overseas, Mr. Mackellar will be
Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs.
ooo000ooo
6 Minister for Primary Industry
Deputy Leader of the National Country Porty of Australia
Leader of the House Member for. New England
27 September 1979.
The Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser, M. P.
nister
Parlicamenz House
CANBERRA. A. C. T.
My dear Prime Minister,
The Finnane Report tabled in the New South Wales
Legislative Assembly yesterday makes a number of
assertions about my actions in connection with private
companies with which my family is associated.
The blatant political character of the investigation
instigated by the New South Wales Attorney-General
and heightened by the appointment of a prominent member
of the Australian Labor Party as Special Investigator,
seriously call into question the Validity and integrity
of many of these assertions.
Seldom has a person in my position been subjected to
such a well publicised and orchestrated campaign of
personal scrutiny, supposedly in the public interest.
Throughout the course of the investigation, I have
been subjected publicly to continuing attacks on my
personal integrity and propriety. As every fair minded
person will appreciate, until now I have been completely
unable to respond effectively. Now and as before, I
vehemently deny any improper activity relating to these
matters. Nonetheless, I am conscious of the difficulties in which
the Report places the Government. Accordingly, I now
tender my resignation as Leader of the House and Minister
for Primary Industry, confident that this course will best
. enable me to counter the false assertions made against
me. / 2
Po;: loment House, Con. err, a A. C. T. 2600 Telephone ( 062) 72 6661, ( 062) 72 6649: Toelnx 62308
37th Floor, Tower Building, Austro! io Squanr,, Sydney, N. S. W. 2000 Telephone ( 02) 241 1651, ( 02) 241 1652: Telx 27270
2.
I am entitled to expect that any matters still outstanding
should be concluded promptly. ( Ian Sinclair)
r I
c PRU-. E MINISTER CANaERRA
I,
V i. -N
With very sincere regret I shall recommend to
His Excellency the Governor-General that he accept
your resignation as Minister for Primary Industry.
You have acted in this manner, I know, from the highest
motives of consideration for the Government. Your
ministerial colleagues appreciate this, and appreciate
also how painful this decision must be for you.
I accept your resignation also as Leader of the House
of Representatives.
You have served the Government and the country withgreat
distincti: on and dedication, and I should like
to record the Government's and my own appreciation of
your loyalty and your service. Yours sincerely,
( Malcol Fraser)
Walcoim Fraser)'
The Rt. Hon. Ian Sinclair, M. P.,
Parliament House,
CANBERP\ ACT 2600
r